<p>Hi, I'm new, obviously :P I'll try not to be too noob-ish, so let me know if this is the wrong section for this, or something.</p>
<p>I'm about to wrap up my freshman year of high school, and I'm pretty nervous about how finals are going to affect my GPA/if I did enough to get into a good college this year. So, a few questions...</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Do colleges take into account differences in the demands of different schools? I go to a really demanding prep school on full scholarship, my GPA is about 3.8, and I'm in all possible honors classes this year (biology and geometry). I have friends that go to public school that have 4.2s, never have to study, and aren't in any honors classes. How would we compare in the minds of a college admissions person, just on grades?</p></li>
<li><p>So, my basic EC list right now is: MUN, JSA, school newspaper, school play, possibly student Senate next year if I get elected, outreach director for Unified 4 UNIFAT (I organize external fundraisers for the charity), NJHS in 8th grade (does this count? there's no chapter in high school) locally competitive horseback riding, non-competitive piano (7ish years) and guitar (1 year), and local science fair wins. I volunteer at a summer camp every year (I'll be a CIT this year) and I'm going to start tutoring and volunteering at a local hospital next year. What else should I be doing, or is this enough?</p></li>
<li><p>The classes I'm taking sophomore year are honors english, spanish 2 honors, algebra 2 honors, AP euro history, and CP chem. If I dropped down to CP in a couple of them, it'd definitely be easier for me to reach a 4.0, but do you think I should stick with this load?</p></li>
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<p>And just out of curiosity, assuming I keep a similar level of achievement up through the rest of high school, would you say I have a fair chance of getting into the ivies?</p>
<p>The ideal freshman year? Ummm, don’t overthink… Find what you love to do and pursue it to the highest standard possible. This philosophy works for all four years, between that and not screwing up your boards you should be fine.</p>
<p>Toodle Pip,
TYiL</p>
<p>As long as you keep above a 4.0 you can probably apply to and get into Columbia University. I’m not sure about all the other ivies though…
Also, don’t worry about college too much now, just keep in mind that you need to do well in school and don’t let stress about the future get to you.
Furthermore, remember that it’s okay not to go to an ivy, there are plenty of schools that are just as good that don’t have the title of “ivy league.”
BEST WISHES! :D</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Obviously, colleges don’t take into account the rigor of a high school. Your friends would obviously have a leg-up on you in this regard.</p></li>
<li><p>Maybe a girlfriend.</p></li>
<li><p>Obviously, colleges also don’t care about the rigor of a course, so just drop down to CP in all of them.</p></li>
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<p>Nope.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I disagree with LoseYourself, colleges most definitely take into account the rigor of you school. It is my understanding that most colleges have a regional representative that informs the admissions officers of how competitive a particular high school is and its standing in relation to other schools in the area.</p></li>
<li><p>I think that’s enough. Just keep in mind that colleges like when you stick with something you are very passionate about so make sure to continue participating in the ECs you are in now for the next three years.</p></li>
<li><p>Colleges like to see you challenge yourself but I would advise you to only take more rigorous courses if you feel confident you will do well. Colleges like to see students that slowly take on more honors courses and continue to do well each year/are consistent. They don’t like students that take many difficult courses, do poorly, and end up taking many easier courses the next year. They want to see improvement…</p></li>
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<p>Thanks for the advice everyone. And LoseYourself was being sarcastic, btw, but I’ll interpret that as I’m worrying too much ;)</p>
<p>Oh, and I don’t know to what extent gender/race influences college’s decisions, but I’m female and half Indian.</p>
<p>That gender and race won’t make any significant influence…</p>
<p>Did your parents attend college? If they didn’t, that may improve your chances…</p>
<p>If they did, where? Because legacy also improves chances…</p>